Modular extrusion for cabinets and similar structures

ABSTRACT

A basic extrusion is in the form of a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;J&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; on the back of the long upright. There are several extended vanes or flags, preferably three. The extrusions are in suitable lengths for assembling into cabinets using mitered corners. There is also provided a hanger channel, which can be incorporated into a wall and from which the cabinet can hang by the channel portion forming the bottom of the J. Stacking extrusions for stacking together several J&#39;&#39;s are also provided. These extrusions fit into two J&#39;&#39;s with their bottom channels next to each other. The basic J extrusions are of strong material, preferably aluminum, but the stacking extrusions are usually of plastic having a certain amount of give.

United States Patent 1191 3/1958 Card. ..3l2/l ll Schippers et al. 1451Apr. 24, 1973 154] MODULAR EXTRUSION FOR 3,639,026 2 1972 Ferdinandetal. ..312/295 CABINETS AND SIMILAR 3,552,579 1/1971 Simon etal ..312111 x STRUCTURES FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [75] Inventors: JamesHenry Schippers; James Ed- I 1,068,526 6/1954 France ..21 1/90 SZY C ofCmcmnan, 1,082,340 9/1967 Great Britain .31'2/350 1o Y [73] Assignee:Formica Corporation, Cincinnati, Primary Examiner james Mitchell g OhioAttorney-James T. Dunn PP 1371301 A basic extrusion is in the form of a1" on the back of the long upright. There are several extended vanes 52u.s. c1. ..'..312/107 312/109 312/111 or flags Preferably three- Theextrusims are Suita- 5l2/l38 312/349 ble lengths for assembling intocabinets using mitered [51] Int A47b 77/00 corners. There is alsoprovided a hanger channel, Fieid 248/247 which can be incorporated intoa wall and from which 248/248 140 .the cabinet can hang by the channelportion forming the bottom of the J. Stacking extrusions for stackingtogether several Js are also provided. These extru- 5 R (rt d sions fitinto two .Is with their bottom channels next I 1 e erences le to eachother. The basic J extrusions are of strong UNITED STATES PATENTSmaterial, preferably aluminum, but the stacking extru- I sions areusually of plastic having a certain amount of 3,419,933 1/1929 Gossen..3l2/l38 RX m 2,739,028 3/1956 Siggia ..3l2/349 X 2,825,614 ,12 Claims,27 Drawing Figures Patented April 24, 1973 l0 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS.JAMES HENRY .S'CH/PPERS v JAMgS EDWARDS CHISHOLM aZ-WTM Patented April24, 1973 3,729,241

10 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. JAMES HENRY .SC'HIPPE/PS JAMES EDWARDSCH/SHOLM BY v 6 ATTORNEY Patented April 24, 1973 3,729,241

10 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS. JAMES HE N)? Y .SCH/PPERS JAMES EDWARDSCH/SHOLM BY I ATTORNEY Patented April 24, 1973 3,729,241

10 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS. JAMES HENRY SCH/PPERS JAMES E OWARDSCH/SHOLM wvm-Q ATTORNEY l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patnted April 24, 1973INVENTORS.

W 1. AM

ATTORNEY JAMES HENRY SCH/PPERS JAMES EDWARDS CHISHOLM Patented April 24,1973 3,729,241

10 Sheets-Sheet '7 f INVENTORS.

JAMES HENRY SCH/PPERS JAMES EDWARDS CH/SHOLM W l 0M,

ATTORNEY Patented April 24, 1973 3,129,241

10 Sheets-Sheet 9 fIE. 15C

INVENTORS. JAMES HENRY SCH/PPE/PS JAMES EDWARDS CHISHOL M ATTORNEYPatented April 24, 1973 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 3 F l -f// INVENTORS. JAMESHENRY SCH/PPERS JAMES EDWARDS CHISHOLM ATTORNEY MODULAR EXTRUSION FORCABINETS AND SIMILAR STRUCTURES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many modularconstructions have been proposed and actually used for assemblingcabinets and similar constructions. It is common to have these modularelements of extruded metal, such as extruded aluminum. in general,numerous different shapes of extrusions have been needed to formcabinets and to provide special features, such as sliding panels, shelfmounting, drawer mounting, and the like. This requires stocking manydifferent shapes and, in some cases, makes assembly of cabinetscomplicated. Also, in many of the proposed forms it has been necessaryto fasten extrusions to each other by bolts, sheet metal screws, and thelike, and this requires either drilling holes or accurately predrilledspecial extrusions and adds further to the complications of assemblyinto modular assembled structures, such as cabinets. It is with animproved single type of extrusion which can be used in place of manyothers of different shapes that the present invention deals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention utilizes a single, allpurpose extrusion, preferably of metal, such as aluminum, althoughstrong plastics are not excluded. The crosssection of this all purposeextrusion is a J with a long side from the bottom of the J, which longside .on its face opposite the bottom of the J is provided with aplurality of vanes or flags. Three vanes or flags are preferred, but theinvention is not limited to this exact number. Throughout thespecification this basic extrusion will be referred to as a J extrusion,and this abbreviated terminology is intended to mean what has beendescribed above, including the flags or vanes. The extrusions are, ofcourse, of various lengths depending on the size of the cabinet or otherstructure and the portion of the assembled structure for which theextrusions are to be used. The J shaperefers to the cross-section, andfor some cabinets this can be very small compared with the length of theextrusion, which may be up to several feet.

One other form of connecting extrusion is in the shape of a fork whichis preferablyof springyplastic, although any other material, includingmetals, may be used provided there is a certain amount of spring. Thisauxiliary stacking extrusion is used where cabinets or part of cabinetsare to be stacked and it fits over the short vertical sides of thebottom of the Js, which are mounted with these short sides'together. Thestacking extrusion, of course, is also often quite long in comparison toits dimensions in cross-section and is of length corresponding to the Jextrusions, whichare the basic building block ofthe present invention.

Several other auxiliary forms are sometimes used,

. but do not constitute the basic modularblocks'of the presentinvention. For example, if acabinet is to be hung from a wall, achannel-shaped member can be mounted into the wall into which channelthe bottom of a J extrusion fits. It should be noted thatwhen-we referto top and bottom, this is assuming a J in normal upright position. Forhanging, of,course,.the J is upside down. Also, some special shapes,such as'moldings for a countertop are sometimes used. Another extrusionwhich is used for end frame back moldings is essentially a J extrusionwith the bottom of channel of the J eliminated. Another auxiliarycomponent is a connector clip which connects J extrusions side by sideinstead of one above another as in the case of the stacking member. Sucha connector clip is also preferably of molded or extruded plastic,though the particular material is not the distinction of the presentinvention from the prior art.

The basic improvement of the present invention over other modularconstructions is that the J extrusions can be used as the only basicbuilding block. This greatly simplifies production and assembly to formmodular structures and so permits firm, rigid structures at minimumcost. It will be noted that the J extrusions for a particular cabinetsize or other structure will not all be of the same length. Theextrusion can be made in long lengths and cut to the particular sizesneeded, and so, for example, a kit for a particular type of cabinet canbe made up with the extrusions of the right lengths and the right numberof stacking clips, connecting clips, and the like. It should be realizedthat in some corners the extrusions have to be mitered, and this will beshown in the case ofa typical corner in the drawings and will bedescribed below. The broad idea of mitered corners as a constructionfeature is not new, as mitered extrusions of the large number of shapeswhich have been used in the past have also been described with thoseextrusions for corner use. It is, however, an advantage that the allpurpose J extrusion of the present invention can-readily-be mitered forcorners.

Where stacking ofJ extrusions is included in a structure, for examplewhenmodules of cabinets are stacked one on the other or where a specialcounter is to be applied, it is desirable to provide for a very firm,nonslipping union with a stacking extrusion or connecting clip.Preferably this is effected by light serrations of the insideof-theouter wall of the bottom of the J and corresponding serrations inthe stacking extrusions or connecting clips. If there is to be nostacking or connection, it would, of course, be possible to utilize Jextrusions which do not have the serrations, and such extrusions areincluded within broader aspects of the present invention. However, theserrations can be made very cheaply during extrusion and so it ispreferred to have all ofthe 'J extrusions with the serrations in oneWall of the bottom of the J whether or not the-particular structurewould make such serrations needed or essential.

This can effect some production economies as it is just as cheap toproduce serrated J extrusions and it is not necessary to stock bothkinds. For this reason, the serrated form is preferred and can add tothe economy of the present invention.

Where it isdesired to mount shelves and/or drawers in a cabinet,suitable notches can be made in the corresponding vertical extrusions sothat the'flags or vanes of a-horizontal =J extrusion can be inserted,orin the case of certain shelves the bottom part of the j extrusion canbe fitted into a notch and the flags or vanes provide for the mountingof shelf edges. In such cases, if the shelf is to have maximum rigidity,its edges can be grooved to fit into the flags.

Where the J extrusion is heldin the notches by its flags, i.e., when theJ extrusion has its bottom channel on the inside of a cabinet wall withthe opening up, the

J extrusion being right side'up, a shelf should preferably be providedwith a horizontal groove in its bottom face near the edge to fit intothe bottom portion of the J. This same mounting of J extrusionalso. isuseful for drawers as the bottom of the J forms a channel in whichdrawer rollers can roll, and this is another illustration of the greatversatility and flexibility of the single multipurpose J extrusion ofthe present invention. Theoretically, for shelves mounted as describedimmediately above and for drawers, the serrations in one wall of thebottom of the J would not be needed. However, ordinarily the serrationsare sufficiently shallow so that they do no harm, and therefore, evenfor this more specialized construction it is not essential that adifferent form ofJ extrusion be used.

The three-flag or vane form of the J extrusion, which is preferred, mayalso be used to perform an additional function. The three flags form twoadjacent channels, and in these channels sliding doors or panels canslide. It is a further advantage of the present invention that wheresliding doors are required or desired, the same basic J extrusionprovides the necessary tracks.

The versatility of the present invention permits an extremely largenumber of constructions with the same basic J extrusion. In the drawingsand more detailed description below, only a few typical constructionswill be described as illustrations of the wide number of structuralforms which can be assembled from the J extrusions, and the inventionis, therefore, not intended to be limited only to the structural formsshown, which are intended only as typical illustrations.

The size of the J extrusion and dimensions, for example, of the channelsbetween the three flags in the preferred form mayvary. For mostconstructions a single size or a single set of dimensions can be used,but of course where; for example, panels of different thicknesses whichare supposed to slide in the channels between the flags must beaccommodated, it is possible to have basic J extrusions with differentcross-sectional dimensions. Ordinarily this is not necessary, and thefact that a single size can be used is an important simplification andadvantage of the present invention. Nevertheless, for certain purposesit is an advantage that somewhat different dimensions can permitutilization with panels of different thicknesses.

The multiple flags of the J extrusions may also be used with countertopsand similar surfaces where a very firm and rigid structure is desired.When the countertop, for example, of plywood with a decorative resinlaminate wearing. surface, is to be used, very narrow groovescorresponding to the width of the flags may be made in the bottom of thecountertop and a J extrusion, which is on its side with the flagsextending upwardly, fits tightly in the grooves and forms a very firm,imbedded connection and may even be used with some adhesive on itssurfaces where a more permanent structure and maximum rigidity isdesired. For somepurposes, for example with countertops which are of allreinforced resin construction, it may, be desirable to have solid woodenreinforcement back-ings,along the edges in which the flags are imbedded.The all-laminate countertop is then, of course, preferably bonded to thestiffening and embedding strips by conventional means.

Sometimes the structurewith a countertop is best,

made utilizing a stacking extrusion and in other cases showing sides,top and front;

mayrest on an upside down J extrusion. Sometimes this latter form mayshow certain advantages as it is easy to actually bolt of screwthebottom of the horizontal imbedded J to the bottom of the inverted orupsidedown J. It should be'noted that normally it is possible toconstruct cabinets and other structures with the versatile J extrusionsof the present invention without bolting, but it is an advantage in theless common case where maximum strength and rigidity is desired that avery few bolts or screws may be used. The overall framework of theconstruction is still made with the J extrusion, without requiring thebolting which is so often needed in the modular constructions which havebeen made hitherto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-section through a Jextrusion shown inverted;

FIG. 2 is an end frame back molding, which is, in effect, a J extrusionwith the bottom of the J omitted;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section through a trim molding extrusion for stackingJs;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section through a connector clamp;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section through a wall hanger strip;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section through a toe-kick for the base ofacabinetjoined to a single J extrusion;

FIG. 7 is a connector clamp or molding;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section through a portion of a freestanding cabinetutilizing a connector clamp of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an isometric of an assembled cabinet fram FIG. 10 is a similarisometric view of a completely finished cabinet;

FIG. 11 is a cross-section detail of a corner shown along the curvedarrows 1 1 l 1 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section through a countertop with stacked extrusionframes;

FIG. 13 is a modified countertop detail;

FIG. 14 is a detail of a stringer notched into a vertical extrusion andshown within the curved arrow 14-14 of FIG. 9;

FIGS. 15A and 158 show two alternative shelf mountings in cross-section;

FIG. 16 is a detail of stacked extrusions in cross-section shown withinthe curved arrow 16- 16 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 17 is a detail of a cabinet in cross-section, partly broken away,showing sliding doors;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are details with front, side and back views incross-section of an upper rear corner ofa hunger cabinet;

FIG. 18C is a rear view of an upper rear corner of a hung cabinet;

FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C are details of a horizontal extrusion for draweror shelf mounting within the area of the curved circle l9-l9 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 20 is a cross-section of a wall mounting and hanging cabinet frame,and

FIGS. 21A and 21B are front and side views of a detail of a side paneltaken within the area of the curved arrow 2l2l on FIG. 9.

" DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS F IG; 'l.is a cross-sectionthrough the basic J extrusion of the present invention. Throughout thefollowing description the J extrusion will be described in terms of thebottom bowl or rounded part of the J being at the bottom and the flagsat the top. In some of the figures, such as FIG. I, the J extrusion isactually shown upside down, but the uniform designation of top andbottom referred to above will be used. It will be seen that the Jextrusion has a long vertical leg 1, a bottom channel 2 which forms thestylized bow] at the bottom of the J. Three flags or vanes 3 protrudefrom the vertical leg 1 in the opposite direction from the channel 2.This channel is U-shaped and will be referred to also as the bottomU-shaped element of the J. FIG. 1 also shows that the inner surface ofthe outer leg of the channel 2 is serrated, as shown at 7. Serrationsare not an essential limitation to the J extrusions of the presentinvention but are useful, particularly with stacking or connectingextrusions, which will be referred to further below. In the followingfigures where assembled J extrusions are shown, the serrations 7 areomitted in order not to complicate the drawings except in FIGS. 6, 12and 16. The extrusions, which can advantageously be of aluminum, arerelatively long, their length being determined by the dimensions of thestructures formed therefrom. This can be clearly seen in FIGS. 9 and 10,which represent cabinets and their frames.

End frame back moldings are formed of somewhat modified extrusions inwhich the bottom channel is not present. Such an extrusion is shown inFIG. 2, the vertical leg and the flags bearing the same referencenumerals as in FIG. 2. Attachment of the molding to other elements isonly through the three flags 3.

Where stacking of J extrusions is to take place, a stacking extrusion,such as is shown in FIG. 3, is used. This T-shaped extrusion has avertical leg 4, a top trim surface 5 and a bottom fork 6 which isprovided with serrations 7. This bottom fork serves to fasten togetherthe bottom channels of J extrusions which are back to back. Typicalillustrations of stacking can be seen in FIGS. 12 and 16. These figuresshow the serrations interlocking, but in order not to confuse thedrawings they are shown purely diagrammatically as the scale of thesefigures is too small to-facilitate showing of the serrations on the twokinds of extrusions separately. They are, however, present in the formshown at 7 in FIG. 1 and at 7 in FIG. 3. Theoretically, if the stackingextrusions and the bottom channels of the Js fit sufficientlyaccurately, stacking could be effected without the serrations, and sucha structure is not excluded from the invention. However, the serrationsmake for a much firmerjunction and are, therefore, preferred.

While the invention is not limited to, the material of the stackingextrusion shown in FIG. 3, it is preferred to make this of a strongplastic having a slight amount of spring so that the stacking extrusionof FIG. 3 will grip the bottom channels of the J extrusions firmly. Theextrusion can be of metal, but as it does not perform the primaryfunction of a strong framing beam member, plastic is usually preferred.The upper portion 5 of the extrusion, which is essentially of T-shapedcross-section with a fork at the bottom of the T, may be smoothlypolished; and if it is assembled at a point where it shows on theoutside of a frame, a decorative strip can be fastened by adhesives.This has nothing to do with the structural nature of the presentinvention and, therefore, such a decorative strip is not shown in thedrawings.

Where two J extrusions are to be fastened side-byside rather than bystacking, an elongated U-shaped extrusion, also of plastic, is used, andthis is shown in FIG. 4. The horizontal portion 8 of the U may be longerthan the short vertical legs 9 into bottom channel members of J -shapedextrusions. The inner faces of the short vertical legs 9 may be serratedwhere they mate with serrated bottom channels of J extrusions. Theserrations are not specifically shown in FIG. 4. The horizontal leg 8can be of various lengths depending on the connection desired. It canalso be quite short, of the order of three times the inner dimensions ofa bottom channel of a J extrusion, and in such a case it may be used asa filler strip. This-modification is not specifically shown in thedrawings as FIG. 4 is not limited to any particular length of thehorizontal leg 8 of the U.

When a cabinet is to be hung from a wall, it is desirable to provide along hanger strip, and this is illustrated in FIG. 5 in cross-section.There is a vertical leg or wall 10 with a bottom J channel having abottom channel leg 11 which is preferably so dimensioned that when abottom channel of an inverted J extrusion in a cabinet is hooked over,this can be readily effected without difficult maneuvering or binding.The hanger strip is mounted in a wall, or portion of which is shown topand bottom at 12. The upper and lower horizontal legs of the hangerstrip are provided with flanges 13 so that the strip can be firmlymounted into the wall. FIG. 20 illustrates a detail of a cabinet framehung into a hanger strip, such as shown in FIG. 5. The J extrusion isinverted and is fastened into a panel 14 by its flags 3. Anotherinverted J extrusion appears with the inverted bottom channel over thetop of the panel and its channel contacts the channel of the firstinverted J hanging into the wall hanger strip, thus providing furtherincreased strength to the construction. As there is not a tight fit intothe hanger strip, serrations on the inner wall of the bottom channel ofthe inverted J extrusion are not necessary, and if desired, theseparticular extrusions may be made without serrations. However,serrations do not do any harm, and so it is sometimes economicallypreferable to make only a single form ofJ extrusion. FIG. 20, as in manyother of the figures, does not show any serrations.

FIG. 6 shows a toe kick for the base of the cabinet. Essentially this isa modified J extrusion with the channel portion and the leg 1 carryingthe same reference numerals as in FIG. 1. However, instead of multipleshort flags, a single long leg 15 is provided, which makes the toe kickthe base of the cabinet. Serrations 7 are shown on the channel of theextrusion in FIG. 6 so that when a J extrusion from a cabinet frontextrusion is hooked in, a firm connection results. It will be seen thatthe walls of the channel portion of the extrusion in FIG. 6 are ofunequal thickness, the short leg being of substantially the thickness tofit into the bottom channel of a J extrusion and the dimensions betweenthe front and rear portions being little, if any, greater than the wallthickness of a J extrusion. The hooking in is shown diagrammatically inFIG. 6, with a regular three-flag J extrusion fastened in.

When free standing cabinets are required, it is often desirable toprovide for a firm mounting, and for this purpose a connector clampmolding is used, which is shown in FIG. 7. Essentially this has ahorizontal flange l6 and a curved flange 17, which can be fastened tothe support for a cabinet. This connection is shown in FIG. 8, thesupport being numbered 19, with a cabinet floor 20. A screw 21, orrathera number of screws along the length of the molding, extend through thestraight flange 16 as shown. The outer flange helps support a cabinetfloor and clamps tightly against a bottom channel ofa J extrusion whichis horizontal.

The J extrusions of the present invention, with stacking extrusionswhere necessary, can be assembled to form various structures, such as amodular cabinet. They constitute the framework of the cabinet and areshown in two views in isometric form in FIGS. 9 and 10. It will be notedthat at the ends, and if necessary across top and bottom of theframework, stringers of J extrusion form may be needed. Two of theseextrusions 22 and 23 are shown in FIG. 9. They are preferably mounted inshallow slots in the vertical extrusions in FIG. 9. The slots are quiteshallow, really being only notches, and it can be seen where they arepresent, particularly at the ends of the extrusion 23 in FIG. 9. Theyare indicated at 24 on one end of the extrusion 23. This is one of thefew cases where a J extrusion is not completely interchangeable withanother one of the same dimensions. For the most part the extrusions fittogether, and a single form can therefore be used for producing anumber'of structures. The cross-sections in most of the figures are notat points where there is a slot, and the slots or notches, therefore, donot show in these figures.

For the most part the drawings are self-explanatory, particularly FIGS.9 and 10. However, there are certain special details which are shown inseparate detailed figures. The first of these is a corner, shown in FIG.11. This is a construction in which the ends of the extrusions aremitered along the line 25 and welded or otherwise fastened. It will benoted that some of the extrusions are in section and some appear in thedrawings in elevation. This is the case of the flags on the two wallextrusions in FIG. 11.

FIG. 10, which is similar to FIG. 9 shows a finished cabinet with a top29, bottom 30 and end 35 in the end frame 36. In order not to confusethe drawing in FIG. 9'

the end frame 36 is not shown in detail, but FIG. 218, which will bedescribed below, shows the detail of one corner. Two sliding doors 28are shown, the inner one being partly open so that one can look into thecabinet and see the bottom 30 and the shelf 31. FIG. does not show thedetails of these elements and their mountings or tracks as this appearsin FIG. 17, which will be described below.

When a cabinet is to be provided with a countertop, this can be effectedas shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, which represent cross-sections through theside and front of a counter-top. The top itself appears at 26 withblocks 27 in which the flags ofa J extrusion are embedded. In the caseof FIG. 12 it will be seen that the countertop is mounted on a framewhich involves stacking of two Js with a stacking clamp or trim molding,the clamp being shown in more detail in FIG. 3.The elements in FIG. 12carry the same reference numerals as in FIGS, 1 and 3. FIG. 14 shows thelocation ofa shelf in the flags of an inverted J extrusion. FIGS. A and158 show the-extrusion alone with two different types of shelves, plain,relatively thin shelves shown in FIG. 15A which. can fit between thecenter flag and either top or bottom flags of a J extrusion, and FIG.158 shows a somewhat thicker shelf with a notched end.

FIG. l6shows a detail of stacking one cabinet on the other using astacking or trim molding of the type shown in FIG. 3. FIGS. l1, l4 and16 are enlarged details of portions of FIG. 9 enclosed in the curvedarrows numbered corresponding to the enlarged detail figures.

FIG. 17 is a section through a cabinet, such as is shown in FIG. 10. Thefigure is partly broken away, showing the provision of two sliding doors28 which slide in channels formed by the three flags of a top and bottomfront J extrusion. The top 29 is supported by the top flag of one of therear J extrusions and abutting against the bottom flag of the front topextrusion. A bottom 30 is held by the front and back extrusions in thesame way except that the back bottom extrusion has flags vertical andthe long leg of the J's horizontal.

FIGS. 18A to 21 are details of portions of the frame surrounded bycorrespondingly numbered curved arrows in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 18A to 18C are details ofa rear corner of the cabinet. It will benoted that in FIG. 183 there is a projecting bottom channel of aninverted J extrusion extending to the right of the figure. This channelfits into a wall hanger strip, which has been described in more detailabove in connection with FIGS. 5 and 20.

There are three detailed views, FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C. FIG. 19A showsan extrusion with a drawer track in position. FIG. 19B, which is across-section at right angles to FIG. 19A, shows the roller 32 of adrawer in the bottom channel of a J extrusion. It is often advantageousfor such a construction to have the particular J extrusion withoutserrations on one leg of the bottom channel to prevent wear or bindingon the roller 32. The roller is attached to a drawer, (not shown), inthe conventional manner and permits the drawer in the cabinet to slideout easily even though the drawer carries a considerable weight. Ofcourse, there are tracks and rollers on both sides, as is customary withdrawers moving on rollers, but FIG. 198 shows only one side. The otherside, of course, has the position of the J extrusion reversed right andleft but not top and bottom. FIG. 19C uses a mounting of a J extrusionof the same type as shown in FIG. 198 to support a shelf 33 which has abottom notched short vertical leg of the bottom channel of the Jextrusion. This form of mounting a shelf is somewhat stronger than theconstruction shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B and illustrates another use ofthe multi-purpose J extrusion of the present invention.

FIGS. 21A and 218 show a front view in section and a side view inelevation of an end or side panel. The panel is at 35 and it fits into abottom channel ofa .I extrusion. An additional corner support 36enhances the strength of the end. Even without this reinforcement 21side panel is still held, but the stiffness is greatly improved with areinforcement as shown in FIGS. 21A and 218.

The numerous figures of the drawings illustrate a number of typicalstructures and structural details, all of which can be formed of theversatile multi-purpose J extrusion of the present invention. Theseillustrations are merely-typical as other types of structures can beformed from the same multi-purpose extrusions.

We claim:

1. A multi-purpose modular building element in the form of an extrusioncomprising a long vertical leg, at one end of which, there is positioneda bottom channel which forms a stylized bowl to provide a bottom of a J,three flags, spaced equidistant from one another which protrude from thelong vertical leg in the opposite direction from the bottom channel andat the opposite end of the long vertical leg from the bottom channelwherein all adjoining parts of the element are at right angles with oneanother.

2. An element according to claim 1 in which the flags are ofsubstantially the same length as that leg of the bottom channel of the Jthat is parallel to the long vertical leg.

3. An element according to claim 2 in which the inner surface of thatleg of the bottom channel of the J that is parallel to the long verticalleg is provided with serrations extending lengthwise of the elementextrusion.

4. An element according to claim 1 in which the inner surface of thatleg of the bottom channel of the J that is parallel to the long verticalleg is provided with serrations extending lengthwise of the elementextrusion.

5. A wall hanger strip for a structure made up ofJ extrusions accordingto claim 1, said strip being an extrusion with flanges to fit against awall when embedded therein and a bottom lip dimensioned to hook into thechannel of an inverted J extrusion, whereby a modular constructionhaving a J extrusion along its rear inverted with the channel pointingout can be hung into the wall hanger strip.

6. A wall hanger strip for a structure made up of] extrusions accordingto claim 2, said strip being an extrusion with flanges to fit against awall when embedded therein and a bottom lip dimensioned to hook into thechannel of an inserted J extrusion, whereby a modular constructionhaving a J extrusion along its rear inverted with the channel pointingout can be hung into the wall hanger strip.

7. A modular construction ofJ extrusions according to claim 1 having atleast one extrusion with its bottom channel extending inwardly of thestructure on each side and drawers provided with rollers dimensioned toroll in the channels of the J extrusions.

8. A modular construction ofJ extrusions according to claim 2 having atleast one extrusion with its bottom channel extending inwardly of thestructure on each side and drawers provided with rollers dimensioned toroll in the channels of the J extrusions.

9. A modular structure of J extrusions according to claim 1 in whichthere are J extrusions opposite each other with their flags pointinginwardly and adapted to support a shelf thereon.

10. A modular structure of] extrusions according to claim 2 in whichthere are J extrusions opposite each other with their flags pointinginwardly and adapted to support a shelf thereon, and shelves having endportions fitting into the channels between flags.

11. A modular structure according to claim 12 in which the shelf end hasa groove, the sides of the groove fitting into channels between themiddle flag and the upper and lower flags respectively.

12. A modular structure ofJ extrusions according to claim 1 having pairsof extrusions with their bottom channels extending inwardly and oppositeeach other and shelves having a bottom groove positioned to fit over theshort legs of the extrusion channels.

1. A multi-purpose modular building element in the form of an extrusioncomprising a long vertical leg, at one end of which, there is positioneda bottom channel which forms a stylized bowl to provide a bottom of a J,three flags, spaced equidistant from one another which protrude from thelong vertical leg in the opposite direction from the bottom channel andat the opposite end of the long vertical leg from the bottom channelwherein all adjoining parts of the element are at right angles with oneanother.
 2. An element according to claim 1 in which the flags are ofsubstantially the same length as that leg of the bottom channel of the Jthat is parallel to the long vertical leg.
 3. An element according toclaim 2 in which the inner surface of that leg of the bottom channel ofthe J that is parallel to the long vertical leg is provided withserrations extending lengthwise of the element extrusion.
 4. An elementaccording to claim 1 in which the inner surface of that leg of thebottom channel of the J that is parallel to the long vertical leg isprovided with serrations extending lengthwise of the element extrusion.5. A wall hanger strip for a structure made up of J extrusions accordingto claim 1, said strip being an extrusion with flanges to fit against awall when embedded therein and a bottom lip dimensioned to hook into thechannel of an inverted J extrusion, whereby a modular constructionhaving a J extrusion along its rear inverted with the channel pointingout can be hung into the wall hanger strip.
 6. A wall hanger strip for astructure made up of J extrusions according to claim 2, said strip beingan extrusion with flanges to fit against a wall when embedded thereinand a bottom lip dimensioned to hook into the channel of an inserted Jextrusion, whereby a modular construction having a J extrusion along itsrear inverted with the channel pointing out can be hung into the wallhanger strip.
 7. A modular construction of J extrusions according toclaim 1 having at least one extrusion with its bottom channel extendinginwardly of the structure on each side and drawers provided with rollersdimensioned to roll in the channels of the J extrusions.
 8. A modularconstruction of J extrusions according to claim 2 having at least oneextrusion with its bottom channel extending inwardly of the structure oneach side and drawers provided with rollers dimensioned to roll in thechannels of the J extrusions.
 9. A modular structure of J extrusionsaccording to claim 1 in which there are J extrusions opposite each otherwith their flags pointing inwardly and adapted to support a shelfthereon.
 10. A modular structure of J extrusions according to claim 2 inwhich there are J extrusions opposite each other with their flagspointing inwardly and adapted to support a shelf thereon, and shelveshaving end portions fitting into the channels between flags.
 11. Amodular structure according to claim 12 in which the shelf end has agroove, the sides of the groove fitting into channels between the middleflag and the upper and lower flags respectively.
 12. A modular structureof J extrusions according to claim 1 having pairs of extrusions withtheir bottom channels extending inwardly and opposite each other andshelves having a bottom groove positioned to fit over the short legs ofthe extrusion channels.